Calling former members as Lichfield drama group celebrates

I THOUGHT Bugle readers would be interested to know that the Lichfield Players will be uniting past and present members next week in celebration of producing theatre in the city since 1943.

The Lichfield Players will be hosting a 70th anniversary season gala night at the Friday night performance (January 24) of their next Garrick Theatre production.

The plays selected represent members' favourites from more than 250 produced since the society began and the group are inviting members and former members to join them for a complimentary drinks reception on Friday during the interval of their big auditorium production 'Outside Edge'.

They are inviting any former members to get in touch and join them for the anniversary gala night to share their past experiences and help toast the society's future.

The society was born in 1943 with a performance of 'London Wall' by John van Druten at Lichfield's Guildhall, and whilst one or occasionally two plays were initially produced each year this has now increased to five productions every season. The Players have also produced shows at the Lichfield Festival, taken part in competitive drama festivals and contributed to the triennial Lichfield Mysteries.

Performance venues have ranged from local school and church halls, the historic Guildhall and the city's Cathedral, and for over 20 years the society's base was the Lichfield Arts Centre, before moving on to the Civic Hall in 1995. Now the society's performance home is the Lichfield Garrick where they perform a diverse programme in both the Main Auditorium and Studio.

Their 70th anniversary season opened in October with a sell-out production of 'An Inspector Calls'. Richard Harris's cricketing comedy 'Outside Edge' in January will be followed by John Mortimer's tribute to his late father, 'A Voyage Round My Father', then 'A Chorus of Disapproval' by Alan Ayckbourn, and in July, to round off the season, Neil Simon's comedy 'Barefoot in the Park'.

'Outside Edge' runs at the Lichfield Garrick from Wednesday, January 22 to Saturday January 25.Tickets are priced at £12 (£11 unwaged/ senior citizens; £8 students). To book call the box office on 01543 412121 or visit www.lichfieldgar rick.com.